J. Preston Hughes was born in Spanish Fork, Utah in January of 1942. He was Sr. Class President at Spanish Fork High School. After attending Brigham Young University, he graduated from University of Utah Medical School. J.P. was a surgical resident at LDS Hospital and a senior fellow in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans and at the E.A. Conway Charity Hospital in Louisiana. He is Board Certified in Colon and Rectal surgery and has practiced in Salt Lake City for 32 years.

J.P. was a clinical instructor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Utah and worked with the University in Cancer research where a genetic mutation was discovered in Familial Polyposis. This groundbreaking work was published in 1989. He served as President of the Utah Medical Association, Alternate Delegate to the American Medical Association, and President of the Salt Lake County Cancer Society. J.P. has also served as Chairman of the Immunization Action Committee, President of the Salt Lake Surgical Society, and President of Utah State Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society presented him the 2006 Sword of Hope Award for exceptional contributions in fighting cancer. J.P. volunteered free surgical services in Nicaragua, donated and delivered medical supplies to Russia and has treated hundreds of his patients free of charge.

J.P. is an Eagle Scout and a retired Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served an LDS Mission in Canada and currently is an LDS Bishop in a University of Utah student ward. He practices medicine at St. Marks and Cottonwood Hospitals. J.P. and Elaine Jones have been married for 40 years and have six children - Jay, Jon, Jennifer (Tew), Jessica (Kerr), Jason, and Joanna (Dickson) and fourteen grandchildren.

J.P. is an advocate for historic preservation and restoration. For 18 years he and Elaine have been restoring their home on West Temple, which is listed on the Utah and National Historic Registries. J.P. and Elaine restored her grandparent's home (circ. 1910) on Main Street in Spanish Fork, Utah, also listed on the Utah Historic Registry. Three of Utah's oldest log homes, a pump house and the Jones Granary have been relocated and preserved on the grounds.

J.P. is a well respected historian and is often asked to conduct full chartered bus tours of Utah. He is a popular guest speaker and accomplished classical pianist. His passion for photography has won several awards and taken him all over the world. Most importantly, J.P.’s passion is humanity. He dedicates his life not to the power of man, but to the service of men.